NC Sweetpotato Commission Foundation Awarded $138K to fight nematodes

BENSON, N.C., Aug. 20, 2026 – The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission Foundation BB #:156017 has been awarded a $138,173 grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC) to support a new project, “Unified Approach in Eradicating GRKN,” focused on the threat of Guava Root-Knot Nematodes (GRKN).

The funding will advance a comprehensive, coordinated strategy designed to protect the integrity of North Carolina’s agricultural economy and strengthen safeguards for the state’s sweetpotato industry. The grant agreement began Nov. 1, 2025, and provides resources for the Foundation to develop and carry out a specialized Scope of Services focused on addressing GRKN and supporting long-term industry sustainability.

“This partnership with the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission allows us to take a proactive stance against a pest that threatens our agricultural heritage,” said Michelle Grainger, executive director of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission Foundation.

The project reflects a shared commitment to protecting North Carolina agriculture through coordinated action, responsible stewardship and industry collaboration. The Foundation will work closely with the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission to fulfill project goals through Oct. 31, 2027, and will provide regular semiannual programmatic and financial reports to the state.

Since receiving the grant, the Foundation has engaged retired North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services plant pest specialist Ann Gallagher to support the project. Gallagher brings more than 20 years of service with the department, along with extensive hands-on knowledge of sweetpotato production and plant pest management. Her experience and strong reputation within the industry will be valuable in advancing the Foundation’s efforts to address GRKN. We are fortunate to have Ann and her expertise leading this charge.

Funding acknowledgment: This project is supported by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. Any opinion, finding, conclusion, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view and policies of the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.

About the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
The Commission is an agency of the State of North Carolina organized to assist the tobacco-related segments of the state’s agricultural economy.

About the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission Foundation
Based in Benson, NC, the Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the sustainability and promotion of the North Carolina sweetpotato industry.

About the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Founded in 1961 the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission is a nonprofit corporation made up of over 400 sweetpotato producers, along with the packers and business associates that support them. The NCSC is committed to supporting its growers and increasing sweetpotato consumption through education, promotional activities, research, and honorable horticultural practices among its producers.

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